Red Empress - Protomelas taeniolatus - Live Fish
Red Empress - Protomelas taeniolatus - Live Fish
Description:
The Red Empress cichlid (Protomelas taeniolatus) is the perfect addition to any Peacock or Hap tank. Their bright red bodies and blue-green faces are unmatched in this part of the world. These Haps are opportunistic feeders in the wild and will happily take anything offered in captivity.
They are extremely common in Lake Malawi, and are often found in rocky habitats near the shore. Tanks should be furnished with at least some rocks to make them feel comfortable. They can reach up to 7" in the wild, but they can grow larger than that in captivity. Despite this relatively large size, they remain docile and only assert their dominance when breeding.
Latin Name: Protomelas taeniolatus
Maximum Size: 8 inches
pH: 7.5 to 8.5
Temperature: 75 to 85 degrees F
Water Hardness: Hard
Behavior: Semi- aggressive (May chase/ nibble other fish)
Native Region: Lake Malawi, Africa
Source Of Fish: Captive bred
Diet: Pellets, flakes, dried krill or frozen aquatic foods
Suitable Tank Mates: Malawi fish, plecos
Overall Ease Of Care: Medium (Appropriate for keepers with basic expertise)
At Rockland Aquarium, we make sure every fish is healthy, active, and eating well before being sold, so you can buy with confidence.
Photo in this listing is our stock picture. You will receive the same type, color, and grade as shown.
Shipping Rates
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Local Pickup — Free
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$39.99 Flat Rate — New York State — Any Quantity
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$49.99 Flat Rate — All Other States — Any Quantity
All live fish orders ship via UPS Next Day Air.
Shipping Information
We ship live fish orders every Tuesday through Thursday to ensure safe delivery and minimal transit time.
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Orders placed this week will typically ship the following week
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Live arrival guarantee
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Local pickup is available at our retail store:
Rockland Aquarium
132 Route 304
Bardonia, NY 10954
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Terms and Conditions for Live Fish:
To qualify for our Live Arrival Guarantee, the following conditions must be met:
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Proof Required – A clear photo or video of the DOA (dead on arrival) fish inside the unopened original bag must be emailed within 2 hours of delivery.
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Correct Address Only – The package must be shipped to the correct address provided at checkout. The guarantee is void if sent to a forwarding address.
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First Delivery Attempt – Someone must be present to receive the package on the first delivery attempt. If not, the live arrival guarantee is void.
🔁 Refunds are issued for the cost of the fish only. Shipping fees are non-refundable.
📏 All listed fish sizes are approximate.
⚠️ Buyers are responsible for knowing and complying with all local and state laws regarding livestock. -
Shipping Tropical Fish from Rockland Aquarium
Shipping Rates
- Local Pickup — Free
- $39.99 Flat Rate — New York State — Any Quantity
- $49.99 Flat Rate — All Other States — Any Quantity
📅 Shipping Schedule
We ship live fish orders Tuesday through Thursday to ensure safe delivery and minimal transit time.
Orders are shipped in the order they are placed.
Typical handling time is 2–4 business days (excluding weekends).
Please note:
Some delays may occur due to weather conditions, inventory changes, or high order volumes.
If a delay occurs, we will do our best to notify you with updated details.
🏪 Local Pickup
Local pickup is available at our retail location:
Rockland Aquarium
132 Route 304
Bardonia, NY 10954
📦 Live Arrival Guarantee
To qualify for our Live Arrival Guarantee, the following conditions must be met:
- Proof Required:
A clear photo or video of the DOA (dead on arrival) fish inside the unopened original bag must be emailed to us within 2 hours of delivery. - Correct Address Only:
The package must be shipped to the exact address provided at checkout.
The guarantee is void if sent to a forwarding address. - First Delivery Attempt:
Someone must be present to receive the package on the first delivery attempt.
If not, the guarantee is void.
💵 Refunds
- Refunds are issued for the cost of the fish only.
- Shipping fees are non-refundable.
⚖️ Additional Terms
- 📏 All listed fish sizes are approximate.
- ⚠️ Buyers are responsible for knowing and complying with all local and state livestock laws.
🕐 Why “Next-Day Delivery” May Take Longer Than 24 Hours
“Next-Day Delivery” refers to the transit time — the period between when your package leaves our facility and when it arrives at your address.
Please note:
- Delivery methods do not include handling or preparation time.
- We ship Tuesday through Thursday only, to prevent weekend delays.
- Orders may require additional time for packing, scheduling, or weather-related adjustments before they ship.
Our top priority is the health and safety of the fish — we never rush shipments at the expense of proper care and preparation.
Dry Goods Shipping Policy
(Fish Food, Medications, Filtration Products, and More)
📦 Order Processing
- Orders placed Monday–Friday usually ship the same or next business day.
- Orders placed Saturday–Sunday typically ship on Monday.
- Packages are picked up Monday–Saturday by carriers.
- All orders ship from our retail store and storage facility in Bardonia, NY.
🚫 Shipping Restrictions
We currently do not ship to:
- Puerto Rico
- Alaska
- Hawaii
- International destinations
💲 Shipping Rates & Free Shipping
- Orders over $15.00: ✅ Free Shipping within the lower 48 states.
- Orders under $15.00: Flat rate $4.99 shipping.
- Frozen foods, aquariums, and stands: 🏬 Pick-up only or local delivery quote available upon request.
📦 Refused Packages
If a shipment is refused or returned to sender:
- A 10% restocking fee will be deducted from your refund.
- Only returned items received in original condition will be credited.
🕒 Out of Stock & Backorders
We strive to maintain full stock, but availability can vary due to high demand or manufacturer delays.
- Orders will not be held for out-of-stock items.
- Backordered items ship separately at no additional cost once available.
⚠️ Damaged Items
If your order arrives damaged:
- Contact us within 24 hours of delivery.
Orders cannot be canceled or refused due to carrier delays.
🔁 Returns
- All returned items must be packed securely in original packaging.
- Clearly write your RMA number on the shipping label (not on the product box).
- Returns must comply with our official Return Policy.
🧾 RMA (Return Authorization)
Before sending any returns:
- Review our Return Policy.
- Request an RMA number through our Contact Page.
- Unauthorized returns may be refused or delayed in processing.
